Trouble in Heaven: Nyasha's Rebellion

The author's description of Babamakura's house as extremely opulent is often counterbalanced by her encounters with Nyasha. Tambu is appalled at Nyasha's treatment of her mother, but she admits she is fascinated by Nyasha's way of thinking. Nyasha explains that by spending time in England, she has developed into a "hybrid child" and that her parents are distressed. She speaks English better than her own native tongue, and her mother complains that she is too anglicanized. I am reminded of Ngugi's theory of language in which he states that language is not just a form of communication, but a way of transmitting history and cultural values. Nyasha truly is a hybrid child having spent important parts of her childhood both on the mission and in England. She becomes an important part of Tambu's education outside the classroom. While Tambu tends to think of education as a kind of power and an eventual material gain, Nyasha tends to think of her education in a very personal way. She tells Tambu she enjoys reading because it keeps her from stagnating or remaining in the same place mentally. She is always challenging herself, and consequently, her challenging brings her into conflict with established norms. Nyasha seems ready to examine (and challenge) her place in African society as well as the world at large (as evidenced by her interest in foreign affairs and history). The most interesting argument she expresses is her pity for her mother. Although not elaborated at this point, it seems that she is disturbed by the fact that while her mother is highly educated (perhaps as educated as Babamakaru), she still serves the same function as any other woman; she cleans the household, makes dinner, and dotes on her husband and children. As evidenced by the short introduction to the story in Chapter 1, where Tambu describes Maiguru's condition as "entrapment," this view that Nyasha has expressed will become more important as the story progresses.